Recruiting: Michigan adds commit No. 6 to 2014 class

Apr. 24, 2013

Written by

Tim Sullivan

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

After two years of concentrating heavily in the Midwest, Michigan’s recruiting in the 2014 class took a decidedly national turn. Sure, an Ohioan (St. Clairsville linebacker Michael Ferns) was the first to commit, but the next three included a prospect from Virginia, one from Utah, and one from Florida.

The two most recent commitments have shown that Brady Hoke and his assistants are getting back to their Midwest roots, however. After adding Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian wide receiver Drake Harris April 14, the Wolverines picked up a Chicago-area prospect Tuesday afternoon. Hinsdale (Ill.) Central three-star tight end Ian Bunting became the sixth overall prospect – and third Midwest native – in Michigan’s 2014 class.

"Michigan from early on just felt like home,” Bunting said. “I had a great weekend visit with my family and I just felt like I had found a place where I would fit in and where I could succeed on and of the field.

“Michigan has a great tradition and it just feels like the best place for me. I really like the coaches and the players and that fit was also really important. I want to be able to feel comfortable on the team and I felt like I was already on the team at Michigan this past weekend."

The 6-7, 215-pound Bunting adds another versatile receiving weapon to the Michigan arsenal at the tight end position. His skillset is reminiscent of sophomore tight end Devin Funchess: he’s a receiver first, and will have to develop into a blocker and well-rounded tight end down the road.

It was the ability to be used in a number of ways that truly impressed Bunting on his visit to Michigan, and convinced him to pull the trigger. He watched film of past Michigan tight ends – and former San Diego State player Gavin Escobar, from Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges’ days in America’s Finest City – and realized that he’d have an excellent fit in Ann Arbor.

"They talked about how they see me fitting in as a versatile tight end/receiver hybrid," Bunting explained. "They showed me a ton of film of how they want to utilize me. I like it. It's got a lot of things you can do with it.”

Though Bunting is currently a three-star prospect, he’s upwardly mobile in the rankings. He has played primarily wide receiver in high school, and more focus on the tight end position should see him refine his skills.

Tim Sullivan is the Football Recruiting Editor of The Wolverine magazine and TheWolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the Rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @TimS_Wolverine.